Strong women

I have been very blessed to have so many strong women in my life to look up to, learn from and occasionally lean on.

My Grandma surprised me today by just dropping by. She is one of my favorite people in the world. And though only a few miles separate us we don't get to see each other as much as we would like. So, it is always a joy to sit for awhile and visit. We complain about the 'men folk' and the trail of dirty dishes and cloths they leave behind. We compare chili sauce recipes. And Grandma tells me of story's about when her kids were little. I love to imagine her as a mother and my Dad, and Aunt, and Uncle as children. My Grandpa is/and was a trucker, and was gone a lot lto while their children were growing up. So Grandma had to go it alone a lot of the time. She tells me of times when Grandpa was away at work and she, with no car and pregnant, would walk the older kids to school. She tells of a time when my Aunt, who had just learned to walk had fallen on the cement steps leading out of the house, and her two front teeth had just come out, Grandma had to 'hold them in' until my Grandpa could make it home (luckily he was working local that day) and they could make it in to the Dr's. She tells me of a time when they would have nothing to eat except macaroni and tomatoes for sometimes weeks, to make ends meet.

There is something magical when I imagine her as not a grandmother but a mother, like me. It makes her more human. More accessible.

Another strong women in my life is my Mother. She also raised four kids with a trucker Hubby.
She is one of my best friends.

I cannot imagine not having my husband here. Sure, he makes a mess and leaves his laundry all over the place...But he is adult companionship. And I would just plain miss him.

My Cousin, who is more like a sister to me then my own sister is, is a strong and successful business women. She is also compassionate and loving, and would do anything for the people that she loves.

My Best friend, who can set up a tee pee and start a fire faster then any man I know.

I can only hope that, having watched these strong women all of my life, some of their selflessness and determination have somehow rubbed off on me. And I am so very grateful to have all of them in my life.